JOHOR BARU: Johor has recorded more than 200 divorce cases involving young couples every month this year, says state Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid.

To prevent this number from escalating, the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) has developed an intervention plan to provide counselling sessions for couples.

“We do not have the exact figure, but we are worried that if this issue is left unnoticed, it will continue to escalate," he said.

“Which is why, starting this year, JAINJ has conducted a follow-up programme for every couple that has been married under the department," added Mohd Fared.

He said that JAINJ will call up all young couples who have been married from six months onwards to check up on them.

Mohd Khalid said this when met by reporters after attending the mass wedding programme at Danga Bay Convention Centre here on Saturday (Sept 16).

The counselling session will also be offered to couples who have been married for years if they need it, he added.

“This is part of the state government's effort to strengthen the Johor family foundations by providing aid and help those in need,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the programme, Mohd Fared shared that a total of 155 couples have been solemnised under the annual mass wedding event held by JAINJ.

“This is the second time we have organised this large-scale event after the first one in 2021.

“For this year, the Johor state government has allocated RM500,000 to help these young couples ease their marriage expenses,” he said, adding that the programme will be continued next year.